dry cleaning

pavlovs_dog

i have two dresses that are 'dry clean only', but being the skinflint...sorry, thrifty person that i am, i dont really want to pay to have to cleaned for me.

does anyone know any of the tricks of the trade?

i am quite prepared to clean them by hand if that is what it takes, just not sure if that would damage the dress...in which case i WOULD be prepared to pay for dry cleaning, but only if i reallly have to.

elona

I would give it a try with one of the dresses if I were you.

Use warm rather than hot water and gentle soap flakes that have been dissolved in water before you put the dress in and wash it very gently.

ET03

cant you use the dry clean cloths that you put in the dryer

Lillibet_2

In the past I have used home dry cleaning produts, you can buy them in some supermarkets, they are more readily available in thw States but I heve bought them here too. However, I would only recommend them for very light clenaing, stains or heavy soiling I would take to the dry cleaners.


HTH

squeaky

elona wrote:

I would give it a try with one of the dresses if I were you.

Use warm rather than hot water and gentle soap flakes that have been dissolved in water before you put the dress in and wash it very gently.

Or put a tiny dab of (soapy) water on a seam or hem inside where it can't be seen, let it dry - and see if it leaves a water mark or discolours?

MATH

Dry Clean only is put on for a variety of reasons and not just because the item cannot be washes. The manufacturer may only have dry clean labels in stock or routinely put dry clean tabs on everything to save printing multiple wash instructions. It may be the buttons, trim or even the wash care label itself that may suffer from a full wash. Very often they are just being 'belt 'n' braces' (I used to work in the industry and have witnessed all these reasons time and time again) I never read wash labels knowing what a work of fiction they can be and often wash Mrs MATH's dry clean only suits 'n' jackets. Suede and moleskin has also been knowen to go through my washer with no problems. Knowing what fabric the garment is made of is a much better indication of whether it can be washed or not. To reduce unexpected damage put the item in a pillow case, use the softest wash option available, a gentle detergent and cold water. HTH

seese

I even put leather in the washing machine and a a small amount of baby oil to the rinse.Works very well.

Paul_the_Painter

I agree with MATH, I used to work in the furnishing fabrics industry, and a lot of fabrics that have short production runs, or just a small supply being imported are just never tested for washability. Unless a fabric looks like it needs dry cleaning (ie. real moires/velvets etc.) just bung it in the machine on a delicates wash.

pavlovs_dog

Paul_the_Painter wrote:

I agree with MATH, I used to work in the furnishing fabrics industry, and a lot of fabrics that have short production runs, or just a small supply being imported are just never tested for washability. Unless a fabric looks like it needs dry cleaning (ie. real moires/velvets etc.) just bung it in the machine on a delicates wash.

dress is described as 100% polyester...surely this means im fine to chuck it in the wash?

pavlovs_dog

havent quite got around to the dress yet, but have just sorted out my whites that acquired the pinky bits....

to those who suggested dylon colour run to me, i cannot thank you enough - you've saved my rugby shirt

KTFrugal

I got this tip from a friend who was studying textile design...if the label says "dry clean" you can wash it carefully and if it says "dry clean only" you MAY be able to wash it. Things like interfacing in jackets might shrink and linings made from different fabrics may shrink at a different rate. Since all my "dry clean only" came from a charity shop, I chance my arm...